Condenser



Jan. 7, 1930. J. F. CADE-LL CONDENSER Filed llay 14. 1925 7 v2 Sheets-Sheet 1 inventor,

Patented Jan. 7, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN F. CADELL, OF RUTLEDGE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T VICTOR TALKING IMA- CHINE COMPANY, A. CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY CONDENSER Application filed May 14,

This invention relates to electrical condensers and particularly to condensers of variable capacity.

methods of manufacture.

Variable condensers, comprising a plurality of alternately stationary and movable metal-plates of generally semicircular contour, have heretofore been employed whereinthe stationary plates have been supported by posts passing through openings adjacent the edges of the plates, and said plates have been maintained in spaced relation -by washers surrounding the posts. The movable plates, on the other hand, have been mounted on a rotatable shaft in interleaving relation with the stationary plates, and-have also been maintained in spaced relation by washers surrounding the shaft, the shaft being rotatably mounted in end webs or plates secured to the extremities of the supporting posts for the stationary plates.

In order to secure a large capacity by the use of small plates it-is necessary that the distance between plates be relatively small, and slight variationsin the thickness of the 3 layers of dielectric separating the plates,

therefore, have an appreciable eficct upon the capacity of the condenser. Hence any lack of parallelism between the plates results in an irregular variation of the capacity of the condenser as the movable plates are rotated.

Vith the methods of supporting the plates of a condenser heretofore employed, much difficulty has been experienced because of the difficulty of securing a large number of washers of exactly the same thickness and having their faces exactly parallel and exactly at right angles to the axes of the washers. This manner of supporting the plates has also been productive of more or less warping of the plates. Hence exact paallelism between the plates has been obtained only by the exertion of extreme care and the use of costly Furthermore, the use of spacing washers additionally increases the cost of manufacture owing to the large number of parts to be made, handled and assembled.

' It is an object of this invention to provide a condenser that is so constructed as to overcome or minimize the above difiiculties.

1925. Serial No. 30,330.

hereof, and in which like reference numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several figures.

The invention is capable of: receiving a variety of mechanical expressions, one x of which is shown on the accompanying. drawings, but it is to beexpressly understood that the drawings are for purposes of illustration. only and are not to be construed as a defini-- tion of the limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for that purpose. I In said drawings Fig. 1 is a side View of a condenser embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on'the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 41 of Fig. 3; I

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the slotted channel bar; and

F g. 6 is a perspective view of one of the stationary plates.

In the form shown, the condenser comprises a frame including a pair of end members or plates 1 and 2 that are held in suit ably spaced relation, as by means of a plurality of posts 3 threaded at their opposite ends and carrying opposed nuts 4 which are threaded thereon and clamp the end members between them. Said end members may be provided with any suitable means for at taching the condenser to a base or support, apertured lugs 5 being shown as attached to or formed on each of said end members and extending at right angles therefrom.

Each of said end members 1 and 2 is also provided with a pair of right angularly proj ctmg lugs 6, suitably attached thereto or formed integrally therewith, to which are secured in any suitable. way, as by screws 7.

supporting posts 8 which cooperate with the posts 3 in rigidly holding the end members in parallel spaced relaton and which also constitute supporting posts for the stationary plates. These posts 8 are preferably made of a suitable dielectric, such as vulcanized rubber, so as to insulate the plates supported thereby from said end members 1 and 2. Mounted on each of saidposts 8 in any suitable way, as by means of a plurality of spaced screws 9, is a channel bar 10 of U-shaped cross section. Thesides 11 of each channel bar are materially wider than the sides of each post 8, and each channel bar is mounted on its post with the edges of its sides flush with the outer face of the post as shown in Figure 3, so that the bottom 12 of each channel bar is spaced a substantial distance from the inner face 13 of its post 8, and thereby forms a channel 14 between said bar and post which extends throughout thev length of said channel bar. Each channel bar 10-is also provided with a plurality of transverse parallel slots 15 corresponding in number to the stationary I plates to be-used, these slots extending across the bottom wall 12 of the channel bar and being suitably formed so as to be exactly parallel and spaced in conformity with the spacing to be given the stationary plates of the condenser.-

The stationary plates 16, which are shown more particularlyin Figure 6, are of generally rectangular formation and provided at their opposite ends with projections or ears 17 through which extend apertures 18, substantially at the line of junction With the body of the plate. Each of said plates is also provided at one side'with an arcuate proj ection 19 to" conform with the contour of the movable plates during their rotative adjustment, and with a recess20 to provide for the shaft mounting of the movable plates as hereinafter explained. The stationary plates are mounted in the slottedchannel bars 10 by inserting the ears 17 into the slots 15, these ears being preferably of such size and shape that they'exactly fit'each channel 14 with their inner edges exactly abutting against the inner surface 13 of the corresponding post 8, their lateral edges abutting the sides 11 of the channelbar 10, and the edges of the plate at each side of each ear engaging-the bottom of each slot 15, as shown in Figure 3. The plates are then locked with their ears in the slots 15 of the channel bar by pins 21 which extend through the apertures'18, these apertures being preferably so located that when each pin 21 is in position it engages the'inner surface of the bottom 12 of the corresponding channel bar, as also shown in Figure 3.

It will, therefore, be perceived that the stationary plates arerig'idly locked inposition by the: peripheral engagement of the ears 17 with the supporting posts and channel bars, and the pins 21 by their engagement with the inner surface of the bottom wall 12 of each channel bar prevent disengagement of the periphery of the cars 17 from said posts and channel bars. Preferably, the ears 17 of the plates 16 are soldered, after assembly, to the channel bars 10 in order to insure proper.contact between the stationary plates and said channel bars.

Any suitable means may be employed for mounting the movable condenser plates 22 in interleaving relation with the stationary plates 16 so as to provide for rotative adjustment of saidmovable plates. In. the form shown, the movable plates 22 are of generally semicircular form and are mounted on a shaft 23 which is provided at a suitable position .with a collar 24 rigid therewith.

its end is reduced in diameter and threaded as shown at 25. The rearmost movable plate 22 is slipped onto the shaft 23 from its forward end until it contacts said collar 24, and spacing washers 26 and movable plates 22 are then alternated until the required number of movable plates have been mounted on said shaft, a washer 26 ending the ser es. These movable plates and spacing washers are then tightly clamped together so as to be frictionally gripped to the collar 24: and shaft 23 by one or more lock nuts 27 threaded onto said shaft adjacent its forward end.

Shaft 21 is rotatably supported in the end members 1 and-2 in any suitable way. In the form shown, a shouldered bearing sleeve 28 projects through an aperture in end member 1 and is expanded into the aperture against rotation therein. The rear end of said shaft 23 extends through and has bearing in an externally threaded sleeve 29 which projects through an aperture in end member 2 with its inner end abutting against the eollar'24 to properly position the movable plates 25 in interleaved relation with the stationary plates 16. Said sleeve 29 may be adjusted in and out and locked in adjusted position by a pair of lock nuts 30 threaded onto said sleeve and engaging opposite sides of the end member 2. The reduced and threaded end 25 of shaft 23 projects beyond the sleeve 29. and carries a spring washer 31 which is urged toward the end of the sleeve 29 by one or more lock nuts 32 threaded onto said end 25 of the shaft, one or more washers 33 being interposed if desired. The ,opposite end of the shaft 23 carries a gear 34 provided with a hub 35 suitably secured on the shaft 23 as by one or more set screws 36. Said hub 35 is held against the forwardly projecting face of the bearing sleeve 28 by the action of the spring washer 30 reacting between the sleeve 29 and the washers 32 or nuts 31 on the opposite threaded end of said shaft.

Any suitable means may be provided for rotating the aforesaid gear 34. In the form shown, a small gear 37 is mounted on a shaft 38 which may take the place of one of the posts 3 and which extends through bearing sleeves 39 and 40 secured in the end members 1 and 2. Shaft 38 may be maintained in the bearing sleeves in any suitable way as by collars 41 suitably retained thereon, and a knurled knob 42 is secured on the forward end of shaft .38 by lock nuts 43.

It will therefore be perceived that the stationary bearing plates are rigidly supported at their opposite ends in a very rigid frame and in a manner which assures that the plates shall be maintained in properly spaced and.

accurately parallel relation, since the slots in the channel bars may be accurately machined therein so as to be exactly parallel and properly spaced in planes at right angles to the axis of the channel bars. Said means for mounting the plates also facilitates assembly, and reduces the number of parts to be made, handled and assembled. The means of adjustment associated with the shaft for supporting the movable plates also facilltates assembly and adjustment of the movable plates so that they shall exactly bisect the, spaces between the stationary plates.

While the embodiment of the invention illustrated on the drawings has been described not restricted thereto as the same is capable of receiving a Variety of mechanicalexpres sions, some of which will now readily suggest themselves to those skllled 1n the art, while changes may be made 1n the details of construction, arrangement and proportion of parts, and certain features used without other features, without departlng from the spirit of this invention. Reference 1s therefore to be had to the claims hereto appended for a definition of the limits of the invention;

What is claimed is 1. Ina condenser, a frame including insulating posts and a plurality of slotted members, said posts extending into and being secured to said slotted members, a plurality of plates rotatably mounted in said frame, a plurality of stationary plates havmg portions extending into the slots in said members, and having engagement with said posts, and means for securing said stationary plates in said slots.

2. In a condenser, a frame including a plurality of slotted channel members, a plurality of plates rotatably mounted in said frame, a plurality of stationary plates having apertured portions extending into the slots in sa d members, and pins extending through said apertures forlocking each of said stationary plates in said slots, said pins adapted to be slidably moved into locking position.

3. In a condenser, a frame including a plurality of slotted members and insulating posts, a plurality of stationary lates provided w1th perforated ears exten ing into said channel bars having slots therein, said bars beingsecured to the central portions of said posts, a plurality of stationary plates having portions extending through said slots, means in the channels of said bars engaging said portions for securing said plates in said slots,

a plurality of movable plates, and means for rotating said movable plates.

5. In a condenser, a frame including dielectric posts and bars having slots therein, said bars and posts being rigidly secured together'in spaced parallel'relation, two series of condenser plates, the plates of at least one of said series being provided with portionsextending through said slots, and means between said bars and said posts engaging said extending portions, whereby said portions are rigidly secured to said bars and posts.

6. In a condenser, a frame including dielectric posts and members having slots therein, two series of condenser plates, the plates of at least one of said series being provided with perforated portions extending into said slots having engagement with said'posts, and means cooperating with the perforations in said plates to lock said plates rigidly in said members.

7. In a condenser, a frame including dielectric posts and members having slots therein, said members being secured to said posts and parallel therewith, two series of condenser plates, the plates of at least one ofsaid series having perforated lugs extending into said slots, and pins extending through said perforations to retain said plates rigidly in said slots.

8. In "a condenser, a frame including channel bars having transverse slots therein, and posts formed of dielectric material extending through said channel bars, two series of condenser plates, the plates of at least one of said series having portions extending into said slots, and means in the channels of said blars for locking said plates rigidly in said s ots.

9. A condenser comprising sets of stationary and movable interleaved plates, means for maintaining said stationary plates in spaced relation including a plurality of supporting members formed of a suitable dielectric, channel bars embracing said members and provided with slots, perforated portions on said stationary plates extending into said slots, and means in the channel of each bar extending through the perforations in said plates.

. 10. A condenser comprising sets of stationary and movable interleaved plates, means for maintaining said stationary plates in spaced relation including a plurality of supporting members, channel bars embracing said members and providing channels between said bars and members, said channel bars being provided with transverse slots, perforated proJections on said stationary plates extending into said slots and contacting said members, and pins in said channels extending through said perforations to lock said plates rigidly in position.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

JOHN F. CADELL. 

